The Protagonist's Party is Too Diligent

It was strange, really.

Usually, characters who fall into another world try everything they can to return home. But I was the complete opposite.

Maybe it was because I hadn’t spent just a short time in this world.

Or maybe it was because, even though I came back here, I didn’t really believe I could go back to my family properly.

If the goddess had sent me back as the “original me,” would I have truly thought, I’m back where I belong?

The answer, obviously, was: I don’t know.

I can’t know the future I haven’t lived. No matter how many times I rewound time and saw various outcomes, the me now no longer has that power.

All I can do is try to enjoy this moment as much as I can.

Even the version of me who once lived in this world as an office worker—it’s all just part of the past now.

Why did I suddenly start thinking about this? Well, maybe it’s because this place felt like a parallel world too.

We were still in Korea. Not even a foreign country. Just somewhere Korean was spoken, albeit not where I lived.

Still, being somewhere unfamiliar was enough to trigger that kind of thought.

Just like the first time I came to this world.

Or maybe I was just a bit out of breath.

“Unnie, you really need to exercise more.”

“...I exercise regularly, thank you.”

“No, I mean actual workouts, not just chasing me around. Join a gym like I do, why not?”

“I don’t enjoy self-inflicted torture.”

Honestly, though—please stop talking to me while I’m trying to breathe here.

Jeju Island has this unique geographical feature called an oreum.

I vaguely remembered learning about it in textbooks, but forgot what it was exactly. Turns out, it’s a parasitic volcano.

Not that magma is bubbling up or anything. I’m not even sure if it’s an active volcano. All I knew was, the one we were climbing looked more like a hill than anything else.

From the pictures online, oreums looked like gently sloped walking trails—not steep at all. I thought it’d be an easy stroll.

But when we actually arrived at this so-called oreum, the path before us was over 200 meters of nothing but hiking trail.

I should’ve known when the blogs said to bring crampons in winter.

Bundled in layers, gripping trekking poles ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ in both hands, I struggled to make my way up step by agonizing step—while Claire, walking beside me, showed no signs of fatigue.

“Still, this is nice. There are so many mountains in this country. Why don’t we do hikes like this more often?”

What a horrifying suggestion.

“It’s refreshing to be in high places when the air is clean.”

“If it’s not too frequent, it’s a nice way to reset.”

Uh-oh.

What’s with them?

At this rate, I wouldn’t be surprised if the whole house got together to start a mountain hiking club.

Even Mia, trailing behind us, had no energy left to even pant properly. She was just wheezing, “h-heuh... h-heuh...” on her way up.

It was kind of adorable, honestly.

“If you’re going hiking again, feel free to go without me. I won’t be joining.”

“...Unnie. You do realize this doesn’t even count as a mountain, right? It’s basically a staircase.”

Staircase or not, this is still torture.

“Still, I’m glad you recommended this spot. I’m already excited to see the view at the top.”

I wouldn’t have recommended it if I’d known it was like this.

I just picked it because everyone says, “Jeju = oreum,” that’s all!

Also, someone should probably help Mia.

...Honestly, I wasn’t in any condition to help.

*

The view really was nice.

By the time we were near the top, I’d stopped responding to people and was just dragging myself upward, lost in thought.

At least I didn’t slip.

Just before the climb, I’d been cursing myself for choosing a hike of all things while on a trip to Jeju Island.

“Haah...”

Still, the view was undeniably beautiful.

“See, Unnie? We made it!” Claire nudged me in the side with her elbow, grinning.

To be fair, when I realized this oreum was basically a mountain trail, I’d wanted to turn back immediately. It was only thanks to the three fitness freaks convincing me and Mia that we even came this far.

So, yeah. It was... fine. Nice, even...

“Mia, are you okay?”

“I’m never hiking again.”

Hmm.

At least I can use Mia as an excuse whenever they suggest mountain climbing again.

I’ll just volunteer to wait at the bottom with her.

But since we were here, looking down from the top...

We hadn’t noticed on the first day, since we stayed close to the hotel, but it was full-on winter here.

It must have snowed quite a bit before we arrived. The view of Jeju from this height was the very definition of a winter landscape.

Even Mia, still catching her breath after wheezing her way up, was taken aback by the white scenery and let out a soft sigh of awe.

“See? Even from this height it’s gorgeous. Imagine what it’s like from even higher up.”

I seriously debated whether I should confess that we didn’t include Hallasan in our itinerary because I hate hiking.

Yeah... probably best not to say anything. If I gave them the idea, they’d definitely want to climb it too.

Click.

I stepped in front of Claire’s camera. She smiled and snapped a photo of me against the snowy backdrop of Jeju.

Before I knew it, Alice, Charlotte, and Mia had gathered around, and we all took photos together, taking turns behind the camera.

Yeah.

No matter when we return, the only thing that will help us remember is these photos.

When I get back home, I’ll print every single one of them.

Even if, in the distant future, we become emperors or queens and drift apart—these memories must not be forgotten.

So that even as old people, long past politics and war, we can remember what mattered.

*

Among all seafood, my favorite is sashimi.

And among sashimi, flounder is my absolute favorite.

Lucky me, right? Of all the seafood to love, I ended up liking one that’s farmed.

“...But honestly, I still don’t get why people eat raw fish.”

“That’s why I bought it separately, just in case. It’d be a waste if we didn’t finish it.”

I smiled at Claire’s comment.

We’d already eaten a bunch outside.

A luxurious spread—instant ramen filled with seafood, Jeju black pork...

The seafood ramen was incredible, but I honestly didn’t see what was so special about the black pork. Tasted like regular pork to me. Still, I ate it because everyone said it was special.

We came all this way—would’ve been a shame not to try the local specialties.

“Still, yukhoe is delicious.”

Alice came to my defense.

“I was shocked the first time I saw it. I thought I might die from eating it.”

Yeah, I was nervous the first time too... But after eating it for decades and not dying, I just stopped worrying about it.

Sure, some people abroad die from poorly handled meat, but no need to bring that up here.

“Can’t believe we still have two more days left.”

Claire said.

“Time flies when you’re having fun... But every now and then I remember and feel relieved.”

“I think I understand what you mean.”

When you string together vacation days with weekends and holidays, the first few days feel so free. You relax because there’s still tomorrow, and the day after.

Then on the last day, you feel like you’re going to die tomorrow.

Like your heart might stop from the despair of no more rest. Yeah, I know the feeling.

...But that doesn’t really apply to us, does it?

It’s just a matter of whether we go live or not.

“Since we’re talking about it, want to hit the pool again?”

“...I’m sorry, but after that oreum climb, my arms and legs are killing me.”

“M-me too...”

As the weakest two of the five-person party began whining, Claire drooped dramatically.

“Hiiing...”

...

Cute, yes. But still—we’re genuinely tired.

If we keep going like this, we might be found dead in the morning. Swimming uses a lot of muscles, too.

“There aren’t many days like this left. Shouldn’t we make the most of it?”

“Be honest. You just want to go outside and play.”

When I narrowed my eyes and said that, Alice averted her gaze and stuck out her tongue slightly.

“Since we came all the way here, why not make more memories while we can?”

Charlotte said gently, her voice soothing and persuasive.

“...Fine. Then I’ll just sit outside and watch you all.”

“M-me too.”

Faced with the stares of the other three, Mia and I gave in and muttered our responses.

And we completely forgot—

That it was far too cold to be wearing just swimsuits outside.

In the end, to avoid freezing, we ended up plunging into the warm indoor pool, where the overly energetic trio roped us into their antics and wore us out completely.